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Pinochet stripped of immunity again

SANTIAGO, CHILE — Chile's Supreme Court voted Friday to strip Gen. Augusto Pinochet of immunity from prosecution, an official said, allowing him to be tried on corruption charges for his once-secret multimillion-dollar overseas bank accounts.

Judge Carlos Cerda said he found evidence that the 90-year-old former ruler used $2 million in government funds to benefit himself and his family during his 1973-90 dictatorship.

The decision adds to Pinochet's legal problems. His immunity has also been lifted in a case against him for alleged human-rights abuses and tax evasion. Under Chilean law, immunity must be lifted separately for each indictment.

Friday's ruling will be issued Monday after all the justices have signed it, an official at the court's press office told The Associated Press.

The judge was appointed to investigate the source of Pinochet's bank accounts in the United States and other countries, estimated at $28 million.